Moldova narrowly votes for EU membership amid fraud claims

The referendum and the presidential vote are seen as a test of the deeply divided nation's willingness to keep close ties with Russia or to embark on the potentially lengthy process of joining the EU [Daniel Mihailescu/AFP]

Moldovans have narrowly chosen “yes” in a referendum to secure the country’s membership of the European Union (EU), say the electoral authorities, in a vote marred by allegations of Russian meddling amid the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

With nearly all votes counted on Monday, the “yes” vote was slightly ahead at 50.39 percent, while the “no” camp – long ahead since the start of counting – stood at 49.61 percent, according to results published by the election commission.